?
Regional characteristics of birth control in Russia In 2018-2022
The article presents a spatial analysis of abortion rates in Russia. The study draws on official abortion statistics, which, following methodological revisions in 2018, now include information that was not available in previous years. Regional differences are examined in terms of the incidence of induced and spontaneous abortions, the share of abortions performed in the private health sector, and the frequency of medical abortions.
Despite the overall decline in abortion rates in Russia, significant interregional disparities remain. In general, abortion rates tend to increase from west to east and from south to north. About two-thirds of Russian women of reproductive age live in regions with low and very low levels of induced abortions, while 16% live in regions with relatively high levels. Contrary to expectations, these disparities did not narrow during the study period.